Heather Gray Nails

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While we're eagerly anticipating the slew of super dark nail polish shades that are hitting stores later this year, in the meantime we've been looking for the perfect transitional color. The conditions were elaborate in scope and limiting in nature, as we said no to neons, refused all reds, and banished all iterations of blue to the back of our bathroom cabinets. What, you might ask, could possibly satisfy our finicky fingertips? The answer, dear readers, is heather gray: a newish neutral seen on the discerning digits of ladies like Sienna Miller, Scarlett Johansson, and Jessica Szhor!

Now, before you start to fidget and get frustrated because you feel like you've seen this before, let us explain. No, this isn't the taupe trend that was sparked by Chanel's Nail Color ($23) in Particuliere and OPI's Nail Lacquer ($8) in You Don't Know Jacques oh-so many moons ago. This time around, we're talking a real gray, something the color of concrete, a shade that's the niftiest of neutrals. The thing about heather gray is this: it looks glorious with your summer brights (it modernizes and mellows the more in-your-face colors), plus it harmonizes perfectly with autumn's many muted shades. Just check out Catherine Malandrino and Oscar de la Renta's F/W 10 shows if you need a little inspiration. At Malandrino, a trio of CND productsÂ--Dark Ruby ($9), Copper Shimmer ($11), and a topcoat of Super Matte ($9)Â--complimented the designer's collection, while at OdlR, manicurist Yuna Park created her own dark neutral polish for the runway show.

In addition to making a splash in the fashion world, we've noticed variations of heather gray polish turning up on top tastemakers too. Sienna Miller, for example, was spotted in Manhattan wearing the color du jour, specifically Topshop Make Up Nails ($10) in Big Smoke. While this exact hue isn't online right now, it will be available in stores shortly, just ring their customer service (866.853.8559) to buy. Of course Miller's not the only one choosing this in-between hue, we've also spotted it on the likes of Jessica Szohr, who was snapped in gray polish at a recent screening of Twelve, while Scarlett Johansson opted for the notable non-color for the 66th Annual Theatre World Awards this past June.

If you're ready to update your mani/pedi to this peculiar-yet-pretty shade, we definitely have some recommendations. For the ideal industrial gray hue with a hint of blue, try RGB Cosmetics' Nail Polish ($14) in SteelÂ--it's simply perfect. Other top options include Illamasqua's Nail Varnish ($14) in DWS, which is a fabulous cement gray, American Apparel's Nail Polish ($6) in Factory Grey, and Dashing Diva's Nail Polish ($8) in Astor Place. Of course that said, we know you probably have your favorites, so tell us about your top pick!